We’re now finding out about affairs of state on Truth Social in the wee hours, folks. Get used to it, it’s the new normal. Axios reports President Trump said on social media early Saturday that the U.S. struck Venezuela, “captured” President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of his oil-rich South American country along with his wife.
- The world-shaking announcement follows Trump’s monthslong pressure campaign against Maduro.
Why it matters: The U.S. military has been targeting Venezuelan ships accused of carrying drugs, as part of an effort by Trump to force strongman Maduro, 63, from power.
- The State and Justice departments set a bounty on Maduro this summer “for violating U.S. narcotics laws.
In a brief phone interview with The New York Times after the announcement, Trump celebrated the success of the mission: “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people … It was a brilliant operation, actually.”
- Trump said he plans a news conference at 11am ET at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., where he’s spending New Year’s week.
How it happened: Trump posted the news on Truth Social at 4:21am ET, and White House accounts reposted his Truth on X a minute later.
- The full post: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
On the ground: At least seven explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas early Saturday. Maduro’s government accused the U.S. of attacking civilian and military installations, AP reports.
- Ahead of the explosions in the capital, the FAA issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of “ongoing military activity.”
What they’re saying: Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who initially expressed skepticism about the legal basis for the strikes, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him in a phone call that they were to “protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.”
- Maduro will “stand trial on criminal charges in the United States” and Rubio “anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody,” said Lee, who said the action “likely” falls within Trump’s authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
Isn’t that encouraging, the U.S. has just toppled a government and it likely falls within the authority of the Constitution? I’m sure you’re reassured and will sleep better tonight.
The US is now responsible for the governance of Venezuela. Toppling the regime of a smaller country is always the easy part. The hard part is what comes after. Neo-cons always expect a pro-US nirvana. It rarely works out. But I suppose the oil companies can seize some assets.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 3, 2026
Trump will stop partying long enough for a presser and we’ll learn more. This is U.S. diplomacy in 2026.
All Maduro has to do to get off any charges is import into The USA four tons of cocaine and then pay off Trump with the proceeds. It’s what all the drug-dealing leaders of despot nations do now.
US laws have no application outside the country. Even domestically this was an act of war without congressional authorization and trump has committed yet another serious crime. Jeffries should be drafting articles of impeachment. Does he have the cajones?
How is this okay??? We invade another country, kidnap their leader under specious ‘reasons’??? Why can’t someone do that here? Invade the US, capture the criminal in the White House and his brain-dead wife??? Rump is more of a criminal than Maduro every thought of being. Besides Putin, Rump is the worst. Rump just gets more insane every day.